Perry police surprise Canton teen with new bike

Shamir Swogger had his bike stolen — his only mode of transportation — while working a night shift at McDonald's, and police replaced it with a new one.

Steven M. Grazier IndeOnline.com staff writer @sgrazierINDE

PERRY TWP. Shamir Swogger works the late shift at McDonald's. He ran into a bit of bad luck on the night of June 2.

Swogger, who rides a bicycle to work each day, had his ride stolen while working and was in a pinch.

Help was on the way, more so than he could ever imagine.

A Perry Police Department officer, who took the report on the stolen bike that night, was impressed by Swogger's work ethic, and he felt bad that the 17-year-old lost his only mode of transportation to his job. So out of his own pocket, the officer — who wanted to remain nameless — bought Swogger a new bike and delivered it the next day.

"When I saw the bike, I realized it wasn't mine. And the officer said, 'It is now,'" Swogger recalled. "I was shocked. It was the nicest thing an officer has ever done for me."

There was one condition for accepting the bike. Swogger said the officer made him promise that if he ever saw someone in need while riding the new bike — a Roadmaster mountain bike — he should stop and help out.

"This boy rides from (Arnold Street NW in Canton) to Perry to work at McDonalds, and my only concern was how he was going to get to work," said the officer. "Was he going to lose his job? That's why I bought it for him."

Another Perry officer, who also works the night shift at the Police Department, purchased Swogger a bike lock so his new ride would be safe and secure while working at the McDonald's on Tuscarawas Street West.

A few days later, as luck might have it, Swogger's stolen bike was discovered in the backyard of a township residence, according to police.

"We found it and gave it back," he said. "Now Shamir has two bikes."

Swogger said he's only been riding the new bike to work over the last week or so.

"It rides a lot better than the old one," he said.

Reach Steven at 330-775-1134 or at steven.grazier@indeonline.com.On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE

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